How to vote in General Election 2024

As the election campaign winds down, attention now turns to the voting process to select the TDs that will represent their constituencies in the new Dáil.

Here's a quick guide to the process of casting a ballot in General Election 2024.

The electorate:

According to An Coimisiun Toghchain / the Electoral Commission, more than 3.6 million people are entitled to cast their ballot in the General Election.

Polling stations open at 7am on Friday morning and will remain open until 10pm.

Understanding the voting system

You've probably heard a lot about first preferences, second preferences and the like over the past three weeks, but what does that mean?

In two words: proportional representation. Or if you want to be slightly fancier about it, PR-STV - proportional representation single transferable vote.

Unlike other countries which run first past the post elections and vote for one person, in Ireland each voter can if they wish vote for their preferred candidate, and then for as many other candidates as they want to in a descending order of preference.

This works in the following way.

When you are in the polling station you will be given a list of candidates - including their names, pictures and whether they are in a party or are an Independent - who are vying for a specific number of seats linked to the number of people who live in your constituency.

You will then write the number "1" in the box next to the name of your preferred candidate.

But if you want to vote for more candidates, you can put "2" in the box beside your second favourite candidate, "3" in the box beside your third choice, and so on for as long as you feel is needed.

If your first choice is either elected or eliminated in a count and has votes left over, your descending order of preference will come into play as your lower down preferences could be included in later counts.

This process continues down the list of preferences you have given.

There are differing views on how to approach the system, with some people believing you should only vote for who you want, others saying to give a descending order of preference for every candidate, and others saying to do that but to not include anyone you really do not want to see elected.

Ultimately, it is your choice.

Just remember, do not to put an X or other marking that is not a number - that will mean your vote is considered invalid or spoilt.

Strategic voting

In basic terms, strategic voting means that if you are not too keen on any candidate, but really dislike certain candidates, you can give candidates you would not in normal circumstances vote for a higher preference in order to potentially prevent a candidate from gaining a seat further into the vote counting process.

Where do I cast my vote?

By now you should have received your polling card in the post. This is a small rectangular white card with your name and address on it.

This will also include where your polling station is located. The location is based on where you live in your constituency.

If you haven't received your polling card yet, don't worry, your local authority or local council will also have these details.

And you'll also be able to find your details on the website: www.checktheregister.ie

I've received more than one polling card

Sometimes - for example if you have recently moved and or if you have two different addresses - someone can mistakenly be sent more than one polling card.

This is a mistake.

And it would also be a mistake to use both and vote twice.

I’m in a different constituency to the last election

The Constitution - Article 16.2.2 of Bunreacht na hÉireann to be precise - outlines your right to representation in Dáil Éireann, and says one TD should speak on behalf of between 20,000 and 30,000 people.

Dáil constituencies are based on this ratio. But, due to natural population changes, occasionally constituencies are legally and independently changed slightly in order to keep each constituency within the rules.

So, sometimes that means an area that was in one constituency is now in a different constituency.

RTÉ News explained this in more detail in an article at the start of the election campaign, which can be read here:

What do I bring to the polling station?

Preferably, you should bring your polling card as this will make the process easier.

But if you have yet to receive it, or can't find it at home, don't worry - you'll also be allowed to vote if you have a valid form of photo ID such as a passport, driving licence, public services card, student identity card or travel document.

And, in case of emergency, it's never any harm to bring a recent bill with your name and address on it, just in case.

If it all sounds a little official, don't worry: the volunteers working at the polling station are very helpful, and the rules around confirming your identity are there for the benefit of you and others.

What do I do in the polling station?

When you arrive at the polling station, there will be a number of lists with road names and addresses on them. Find your road on this list, and then go to the area that the list is linked to in the polling station.

At that table, the polling station volunteers will check your ID, cross you off the list, and give you your officially stamped ballot. If your ballot is not stamped, it will not be counted.

Officials will then direct you to the voting booth, where you will have some privacy to fill out your ballot. This booth is, generally, a four-sided table or shelf with privacy screens.

At that point, you fold your ballot once so that no one can see it, before returning to your address table to put the ballot into the secure box at the table. Make sure you do so yourself. If you're unsure of where to put it, an official will advise you - from a slight distance.

Any other rules on casting my vote?

The main rule to remember is that you have to respect the privacy of the ballot.

That means don't try to look over anyone's shoulder while they're voting, don't show other people your ballot (remember: fold your vote once your done), and please don't take a selfie in the voting booth.

Also, if you write anything else other than your voting preference on your ballot paper, this will invalidate your vote.

Voting times

Polling stations open at 7am on Friday 29 November and close at 10pm on the same day.

If you turn up at 10:01pm you will not be allowed in, regardless of your reasons, as the voting cut-off point needs to be the same regardless of where you live in the country.

You may hear a lot of phrases like "slow/steady/fast turnout" or "tea-time rush" in media coverage throughout Friday, and it is no harm to be aware that some parts of the day are busier than others when it comes to voting.

What happens when the polls close?

Votes in General Election 2024 will remain in the ballot boxes overnight and will be opened in count centres across the country at 9am on Saturday morning.

At this point, you can tune into the avalanche of coverage from media outlets over the coming days to see how the Dáil seats get allocated.

RTÉ of course will be among them, with our extensive coverage including the RTÉ News app, www.rte.ie and podcasts, as well as special radio and TV programmes throughout the weekend.